N.Y. Agriculture & Markets Law § 259: Legislative findings

§ 259. Legislative findings. The legislature hereby finds and declares

that farmers' markets provide a vital and highly effective marketing

mechanism for thousands of New York farmers, improve the access of

consumers and wholesalers to New York farm products, and contribute to

the economic revitalization of the areas in which the markets are

located. The legislature further declares that farmers' markets provide

consumers with access to a wide range of high quality, nutritious, farm

fresh and processed New York state agricultural and food products;

facilitate expanded wholesale distribution of New York state farm

products to retail stores, restaurants, institutions and other wholesale

food buyers; provide new and expanded farm and city jobs in agricultural

production, marketing, and sales, and in market facilities development

and operation; promote consumer awareness of New York state agriculture

and agricultural products; and foster economic and social interaction

between urban and rural residents of the state.

It is therefore the intent of the legislature and the purpose of this

article to encourage farmers' markets in the state by providing state

assistance to municipalities and public and private agencies interested

in developing new markets or expanding or reconstructing existing farm

market operations.